Where there is hatred, let me sow love… When politics tempt me to demonize the other side, when my envy delights in workplace intrigue, when my thoughts walk the paths of anger’s edge, when I’m tempted to validate a violent solution, when I think I’m excused from golden rule: teach me to sow love, Lord, and to love as you’ve loved me…

Where there is injury, pardon… When my words cut sharp as a knife, when my idle gossip tears others apart, when my careless deeds wound deeply, when I set out to hurt a colleague: teach me to pardon and heal, Lord, as you’ve healed and pardoned me…

Where there is despair, hope… Teach me, Lord, to hope when I’m unsure of so many things, to trust when I want so much to give up, to believe when I’m confused and lost in doubt: teach me to share your truth and my hope with those who seem to have neither…

Where there is darkness, light… Teach me, Lord, to trust in your light when all is dark, to walk by your light when the shadows beckon, to stand firm in your light when darkness threatens and to share your light and its warmth with any and all who seek it…

Where there is sadness, joy… Lighten my heart with the gifts of your Spirit, draw me out from my childish self-pity, touch my heart’s ache with the peace of your presence, lift my heart’s burdens and free me to share the gift of your joy, the joy of your grace…

O Divine Master… Help me find my peace in making peace with others; teach me to console others even from my own pain; help me come to know your love in learning to love those I know; and in serving others’ needs help me learn what I need the most…

Teach me to give from my heart as your heart gives to me; teach me to pardon my neighbor as you pardon me; and deepen my faith that in dying to myself I rise to life, forever with you..

Rick Warren gives incredibly good advice for day to day Christianity. Here is just one of his daily encouragements.

Brian Zahnd clearly articulates the beautiful message of what God is actually like – God is like Jesus.

This 7 minute video captures this central, controlling message so very well. It’s quite deep so this clip is not for beginners in the faith.